James Potenza, ABR,EBA

Pssssst.......hey you..........I have a secret to tell you. Friendswood Real Estate offers many luxury homes and neighborhoods unlike anywhere in the area. Huge multiple acreage lots are nestled away from the busy parts of town. In fact, very few people in Friendswood actually know these types of luxury subdivisions in Friendswood actually exist. Most of Friendswood Real Estate consists of suburbia type neighborhoods with standard lot sizes and close neighbors.

If you want a truly spectacular home away from the major population of Friendswood and plenty of land, read on. Below are detailed satellite images of luxury neighborhoods in Friendswood Texas Real Estate.

San Joaquin Estates

This is one of my all time favorite subdivisions in Friendswood ! San Joaquin Estates. "off the beaten path" San Joaquin Estates consists of homes built on 2-3 acre lots. The price range of homes sold in San Joaquin Estates is from the mid $500s up to $2M. Homes were built here from the late 1980s up to the early 2000s. Every home is unique and custom tailored for the busy entrepreneur get away retreat. Homes For Sale in San Joaquin Estates Friendswood Texas

If you would like more information and a market analysis for San Joaquin Estates in Friendswood, send me an EMAIL

Below is a close up shot of San Joaquin Estates. As you can see, each lot is very large with lots of room between neighbors. There is virtually NO drive through traffic in this neighborhood. Some Homeowners have horses too !

Polly Ranch Estates

Polly Ranch Estates - located on the SE side of Friendswood near the intersection of 518 and 528. Polly Ranch has a small runway which is owned by the subdivision residents. Some parts of Polly Ranch are low lying and might be prone to flooding. Most of these areas would be close to the creek. As you drive down Pine Dr. you will notice the creek behind the houses. Most of the houses on this side of the street are raised up on pier and beam.

If you would like more information and a market analysis for Polly Ranch in Friendswood, please send me an EMAIL.

Below is a close up view of the airplane runway and hangers in Polly Ranch along with my simple imitation of a plane drawing. The large buildings next to the runway is your own private hanger behind your house ! The wooded home sites are very spectacular and secluded. No two homes are the same in this neighborhood !

Friendswood Real Estate Luxury Neighborhoods Pg. 2

Friendswood Real Estate

Friendswood,TX.

Schools - Lifestyle - Quality of Life

Friendswood Texas is located just south of Houston and borders Pearland and League City. Clear Lake is nearby which is where the Johnson Space Center (NASA) is located. Galveston is just a 20 minute drive down I-45. Friendswood's population is over 34,000.

Friendswood consists of traditional values, excellent housing, low crime rate, and quality education, which continues to attract new families to the community. The city is situated among beautiful parks, natural trails, and a championship golf course. More than half of the city's residents are employed in executive, professional, and managerial positions.

The lifestyle of the Friendswood area is a bit more relaxed than the west side of Pearland and certainly more so than the Houston metro area. Friendswood is separated into two counties by Clear Creek. One side of the creek is Harris County and the other side is Galveston County. Most if not all of the Harris County side of Friendswood is assigned to the Clear Creek School District while the Galveston County side is assigned to Friendswood School District.

Most of Friendswood is already built out, meaning there are not too many brand new home communities being built in Friendswood. West Ranch and Autumn Lakes are a few new home communities in Friendswood. West Ranch Friendswood homes are assigned to the Friendswood Independent School District. The Forrest of Friendswood is a relatively new home community in Friendswood. The subdivision is build right next to the Timber Creek Golf course and includes luxury custom homes in the low $1M. Friendswood Lakes is another very nice lake community with homes priced in the $300-$400s and up. Friendswood Lakes is located off of 528 (NASA Rd 1) just west of 518.

Leading by example, Friendswood Independent School District continues to be recognized in the area as well as in the state for test scores and accountability ratings. Its Academic Decathlon Team is known nationally and has more than a decade of consecutive State championships. FISD has been named the fifth most efficient Texas School District by the Texas Business Coalition. Friendswood High School was named 1 of 13 Top High Schools in the State as well as 1 of 10 Top High Schools in the Houston area. The Band, Choir and Drama Departments have been awarded exceptional honors annually. FRIENDSWOOD SCHOOLS

Below is a satellite image of the Friendswood, Pearland, Clear Lake, Webster, and South Houston area.

This is a closer look at the Friendswood area. To the right is I-45 which goes to Galveston and Houston. To the south east of Friendswood is League City. To the North West of Friendswood is Pearland. Clear Creek Runs through this entire area. Some areas around the creek are prone to flooding so be keep this in mind if you find a home near to Clear Creek.

For more information on Friendswood Real Estate, Please visit www.buyeragentjames.com

Housing Market e-Newsletter

Get the "numbers" on the Real Estate Market Activity. Click on the Free Sample below. You can sign up to receive the report in your email on a monthly basis.

Also, please visit Pearland Real Estate and Buyer Agent James for more local market reports and great homebuyer tools.

Home Inspections

Real Estate professionals should always recommend their buyer to get a home inspection. It is the best way to discover what is wrong or right with the home, BEFORE you decide to purchase. Homebuyers receive an unbiased and professional opinion about the home they are about to purchase. Home inspectors look way beyond paint and rotting wood. They look at the entire structure of the home and will help uncover costly repair items.

The home inspection is typically performed just after the offer is accepted on the property and during the "option period". The option period is usually negotiated with the help of your buyer's agent and gives the buyer time to make sure they know everything about the condition of the home. An option period in Texas is typically 10 days and the buyer usually pays $100-$200, which is usually credited to the buyer at closing.

Purchasing a home is one of the largest investments of your time and money you will ever make. It is no wonder then that many homebuyers employ professionals to inspect the structural and mechanical systems of the home and report to them on their condition. Sometimes sellers also employ Home Inspectors to alert them to problems with their homes which could arise later in the transaction. But normally Home Inspectors are employed by buyers.

Most home buyers are not entirely educated about every structural element of a home. Therefore, hiring a home inspector gives them a great opportunity to become educated on many items in a home that they were not even aware existed. Real Estate professionals highly recommend that the buyer be present during the entire home inspection.

So what does a home inspection include?

A home inspection includes a non biased expert opinion on the condition of the structure. They fill out an inspection report regulated by the Texas Real Estate Commission and mark each item as needs repair, not inspected, or condition good. A home inspector is not a trade expert on every structural item in a home. They inspect items for functionality and if a repair or "trade inspection" is needed. For example..if the inspector finds that the roof has a few shingles missing, they would call it on the report and suggests that a qualified roofing company do a through inspection and repair. Or if the inspector finds out that the air conditioner does not cool properly, they would call it out and recommend that a qualified HVAC company come out and inspect the entire system. Both examples do not indicate that the entire roof needs to be replaced or that the entire HVAC system is bad.

Q and As about Home inspections

Why Should I have a Home Inspected?

Most homebuyer's lack the experience and knowledge of a home's structural system. The structural system includes Electrical, plumbing, HVAC systems, appliances, and of course, the structure. A home inspection provides a non-biased expert opinion on the condition of the home. Home inspections can uncover costly repairs and health hazards. Once these items are uncovered, the buyer has the option (as long as they are within their option period) to buy the home, renegotiate the deal, or completely back out and forfeiting their option money.

Can anyone perform a home inspection?

No. Only persons licensed by the Texas Real Estate Commission as a home inspector are able to perform the inspection. To qualify for licensure, they must satisfy certain experience and education requirements and pass a state exam. Their inspection must follow in accordance with the board's standards of practice and code of ethics.

What does an inspection usually include?

The following is a sample list of normal items that are usually included in an inspection.

Structural Systems

Foundation

Grading and Drainage

Roof Covering

Roof Structure and Attic

Interior and Exterior Walls

Ceilings and Floors

Doors

Windows

Fireplace and Chimney

Attached Porches, Decks and Carports

Electrical Systems

Service Entrance and Panels

Branch Circuits - Connected Devices and Fixtures

Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning Systems (HVAC)

Heating Equipment

Cooling Equipment

Ducts and Vents

Plumbing System

Water Supply System and Fixtures

Drains, Wastes and Vents

Water Heating Equipment

Hydro-Therapy Equipment

Septic Systems

Appliances

Dishwasher

Food Waste Disposer

Range Hood

Ranges, Ovens and Cooktops

Microwave Cooking Equipment

Trash Compactor

Bathroom Exhaust Fans and/or Heaters

Garage Door Operators

Dryer Vents

Other Built In Appliances

So what happens if the inspector recommends an item be repaired?

With the help of the inspection report, you will determine if the item(s) are a safety hazard which needed to be remedied right away, a "big ticket" item like a roof replacement, or a few rotted boards and missing light bulbs. Obviously, there are no perfect homes out there so you will need to use the guidance of your buyer's agent when deciding what to ask the sellers to repair or negotiate. You have two choices...have the sellers repair the item or receive a concession for the estimated repair costs. It has been my experience to take the concession as the sellers might want to use the cheapest repair service. Your Buyer's Agent will assist you with the negotiations.

How do I order an inspection?

Your Buyer's Agent can recommend inspectors that have proven to be knowledgeable and professional. Or you can find one on your own. The choice is yours. Just make sure that they are licensed by the state and have references. Once you have an "executed" sales contract, your Buyer's Agent will tell you it is time to get a home inspection. The inspection will need to be performed and reviewed by you and your Buyer's Agent during the option period. You want to allow ample amount of time for repair negotiations before the option period ends so the sooner the better but wait until you have a signed and executed contract.

For more useful home buying tips and Real Estate market Reports, please visit Pearland Real Estate and Buyer Agent James

Buy a home this year and get $8000.00 in your pocket !

The latest modification to the stimulus bill: The credit increased from $7500 to $8000 and the taxpayer does not have to repay the credit. A first time homebuyer is considered one that has not owned a home in the past 3 years. The information below was copied from the National Association of REALTORS.

Please consult with your tax professional to see if you qualify.

Homebuyer Tax Credit - The bill provides for an $8,000.00 tax credit that would be available to first-time home buyers for the purchase of a principal residence on or after January 1, 2009 and before December 1, 2009. The credit does not require repayment. Most of the mechanics of the credit will be the same as under the 2008 rules: the credit will be claimed on a tax return to reduce the purchaser's income tax liability. If any credit amount remains unused, then the unused amount will be refunded as a check to the purchaser. (You get a check from the IRS for the difference. If you are owed let's say $1,000 on your taxes, you get a check for $9000.00)

Now is the best time in America to become a homeowner. Interest rates are at an all time low, houses are selling below market value, and you get an $8000.00 tax credit. This opportunity will only be around for a short time. If you have dreamed about homeownership, now is the time to make your dream come true. Contact your Exclusive Buyer's Agent, James Potenza,ABR,EBA, and he will guide you through the entire process. James is available to answer any questions you may have.

It is also possible to amend your tax credit and use the money for your down payment on a home. Please consult with a knowledgeable mortgage lender and tax professional to see how you qualify.

Please visit www.BuyerAgentJames.com for more information about this exciting Homebuyer incentive.